Check all Christmas lights before you hang them – check for any cords that have breaks in the plastic or are frayed and throw those lights away. Consider replacing older style bulbs with LED lights because they stay cooler and are les...

Septic system maintenance is often compared to automobile maintenance because only a little time and effort on a regular basis can save a lot of money and significantly prolong the life of the system. The minimal amount of preventative main...

Receiving quotes to have a job done is very time consuming, but it is also very important. So plan ahead. Try not to be rushed into having a job done because you waited until it had to be done, and end up going with the first or only compan...

Water heating can account for 25 per cent of the energy bill for many Canadian homes – especially those with large families that use lots of hot water. Hot water usage can be reduced by installing low-flow shower heads, faucet aerator...

Dryer Vents: Clean your outside dryer vents. Check the vent while the dryer is running to ensure air is flowing freely. If lint is allowed to clog the vent the dryer will have to work harder to dry the clothing, raising energy costs and it ...

We know this is a busy time of the year for everyone but we just wanted to send out a quick reminder. If you haven’t already, you should be organizing an appointment to have your heating system serviced as well as your fireplaces and ...

Older homes not built to today's standards of energy efficiency can often benefit from the addition of more insulation. Upgrading insulation can reduce the amount of energy used for space heating and cooling. It will also help protect y...

Pick up some automotive rain repellent windshield sealant like Rain.X. After throughly cleaning shower doors, apply the sealant to the inside of the glass shower doors to prevent soap scum buildup. Follow the manufacters directions when app...

If cracks are left unrepaired with the high humidity in your bathroom, it can become an open invitation for mould and mildew to grow, often out of sight. To prevent this, immediately remove any damaged caulking (showing signs of cracking or...

Proper maintenance of your clothes dryer is important to the safety of your home. Along with cleaning the lint filter before every cycle, never put materials that have been used with solvents, oils or wax in dryers; never machine dry foam o...

A certain amount of snow accumulation on your roof is normal. However, if there is an excessive accumulation on the roof of your home, particularly if the snow is wet, there is a possibility of damage to the structure of the property.&nb...

Loose grout or sealant usually causes cracks around the bathtub, shower or bathroom tile joints. If these cracks are not quickly cleaned out and filled, they can let in water that can damage your walls and the framing behind them. &nb...

Do a quick check of your roofing shingles. Repairs are more easily completed when the shingles are still soft and pliable in the early fall. While you’re looking at the roof, check the flashings around the chimney and plum...

As we move into storm season, we are concerned with potential power outages. In Canada a loss of power can be serious in freezing temperatures. The heavy overhead power lines coming into our homes carry enough power to run and heat the...

More Canadians are replacing regular incandescent light bulbs with more energy-efficient products, such as compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). While CFLs are being promoted because they are energy-efficient, their use has also raised health c...

If you have an outdoor oil tank ensure that the tank and oil lines are protected from the threat of falling snow and ice. The tank’s vent should be clear of all obstructions such as ice, snow, leaves or debris. Any lines coming out of...

I think it would be safe to say that no one wants to run the risk of flooding in their home. Many of us have heard stories from friends or family or know from personal experience that severe flooding can occur from a burst washing machine h...

A good rule of thumb is to inspect and maintain your garage doors once a year. Look for signs of wear or broken parts. If you notice broken parts, consider hiring a qualified service technician since many of the components are under high te...

To keep your HRV working at peak performance, it should be cleaned twice a year in spring and fall. Turn off the HRV and unplug it. Open and clean inside the machine. Remove and clean or replace, the filters. Check to see if your HRV has a ...

This is the time of the year when people start thinking about ways to heat their homes more efficiently. If your heating equipment is over 20 years old, consider upgrading it. New equipment is much more efficient than the older versions....

Home inspections are a necessity for anyone looking to sell or purchase a home. Choosing someone qualified to perform home inspections will ensure that not only will the results of the home inspection be thorough, but that the risk of futur...

To protect the child from house fires, smoke alarms should be installed and tested each month to make sure they work. Fire extinguishers should be placed on every floor, with an extra fire extinguisher placed in the kitchen. An emergency...

Inspect for wind, snow, or ice damage. Check to see that the roof shingles are secure, tightly fastened and in good condition. If any of the shingles are loose, repair with asphalt roofing cement. If they are damaged or missing, replacement...

Check that they are securely attached to the house and are level. Check that the support posts under the decks are plumb. Over the winter months the wood and supporting beams may have deteriorated. Check for rotten boards and replace as ...

Hoses on dishwashers and washing machines weaken over time and start to break down. This can result in extensive water damage to your home if not replaced. Check the water hoses on these items for signs of deterioration such as cracks and b...

Now that you have operated your stove all winter with a minimal of cleaning, it’s time to clean it yourself or have it cleaned professionally. Most manufacturers have detailed instructions on how to do yearly pellet stove cleanings ei...

Now that the warm weather has arrived – we want to be outside enjoying it! However, mosquitoes can send us running back inside. Mosquitoes breed in standing or stagnant water by laying their eggs on the surface of the water. There are...

When replacing your Hot Water Tank make sure that it is properly installed by a professional who understands the importance of the "temperature/pressure release valve" TPRV and the "discharge pipe" as well as their funct...

It is a good idea to remove the inside screens from your windows over the winter months. This allows more air to circulate around the inside of the window trim and sill area, thus reducing the incidence of molds and mildews. Molds tend to g...

Ants can cause extensive damage to a home causing thousands of dollars in repairs. Now is the time to walk around the exterior and interior of your home to check for ants and/or ant filings. Ant filings look like very fine sawdust in sma...

When you are outside cleaning your eavestroughs it is also a good time to take a quick look at any trees on your property. Look to see if any limbs are brushing up against your house or are in contact / close proximity with your power or ...

Performing routine checks and maintenance on your hot water tank, whether it is gas, oil or electric, is vital to extending the life and efficiency of the tank and ensuring your safety. The normal life expectancy of a tank is 8 – 12 y...

January is a good time to do a little property maintenance on the inside of the home. The grill protectors on your fans need to be kept clear of dust and spider webs in order to function efficiently. Vacuum around the fire / smoke dete...

Ice dams on the exterior surface of the roof can be a problem, particularly for low-sloped roofs with an overhang. This is the result of snow accumulation on the roof and is more common on poorly insulated homes. After a snowfall, heat es...

• Extension cords – only one extension can be used per appliance or fixture; buy an extension cord that is the proper length and do not connect a series of extension cords as this is a fire hazard. Note that all extension cords...

As you take your first few tentative steps out into the yard searching for crocus and early daffodil shoots, now is also a good time to inspect the exterior of the house as well. While the early spring flowers and plants may well be poking ...

By providing water, nutrients and aeration in the Fall, you strengthen the root systems and provide it with the necessary components to support it during our long Canadian winters, so your lawn will be quicker to bounce back in the Spring. ...

The GFCI outlets in your home should be checked monthly. The purpose of a GFCI is to protect you from electrical shock. They are usually in areas of the home where electrical current might come in contact with water, such as bathrooms, kitc...